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**African Satellite**
Some people say that Italy and France are two nations with deep cultural ties, known for their intelligence and creativity.
Consider the Renaissance and then reflect on the rich cultural heritage of Europe's millennia of history, which showcases the wisdom of these nations.
But sometimes, intelligence can lead to transgressions!
Use Levi's most familiar sport, football, to illustrate this.
Europe is infamous for its passionate style of play. It could even be argued that players in Italy are deeply immersed in the game, making it rare to find those who don't actively participate. But what about china? They even arrange referees over the phone, how is that fair!
It is also said that china pin their hopes on future generations. Levi isn't sure if this is a common belief, but the old De Rossi does.
Daniel De Rossi was subjected to rigorous football training from a young age, with his father determined to shape him into an exceptional striker. Despite numerous rejections from Rome's youth academies, his father persisted, convinced that his son had inherited his exceptional football genes and was destined for greatness.
Without Levi's intervention, he might still be entrenched in that stubborn mindset.
For Daniel De Rossi, his father rarely offered words of encouragement. Typically, he would critique Daniel's football mistakes, even at the dinner table, without hesitation.
For many years, their relationship had been as though they shared only blood and their mutual love for football.
Observing Levi's encouragement of Almunia the previous night made the old De Rossi uneasy. However, he couldn't deny the visible change in Almunia, who seemed brighter and less sullen since their initial meeting.
Everyone knew that this was Levi's doing.
Although younger than Almunia, De Rossi had faced his share of frustrations. Did this mean he too needed more encouragement than Almunia?
This was the first time De Rossi had questioned himself.
Of course, this was an introspection he kept to himself. Proudly, he wouldn't share his doubts about his son, not even with his formidable wife.
"Alberto, your eyes look dark. Are you feeling unwell?" Kassel asked, concerned, as he observed the tired old De Rossi during breakfast.
"No, just a bit fatigued," replied De Rossi casually, sitting down, beckoning the waiter, and ordering breakfast.
"Fatigue? No wonder your room wasn't active last night. Did you visit the red-light district?" Kassel joked.
De Rossi simply smiled but said nothing.
During breakfast, Levi suddenly asked, "Is this your first time leaving Italy?"
"How did you know?" Old De Rossi looked startled.
Levi and Kassel exchanged glances, shaking their heads and chuckling to themselves. Even in their thirties and forties, homesickness was a real...
"Perhaps you should return home first, and we can proceed afterwards!" Levi suggested, expressing concern.
"Where to?"
"To Africa first, then Brazil, and finally back to Manchester!" Cassel replied.
"Yes, circumnavigating the globe. Alternatively, you could return to Italy to prepare while our club arranges everything. You can depart at any time," Levi added with understanding.
Old De Rossi appeared touched, but then quickly reconsidered, shaking his head. "I don't need that. I believe I can handle it!"
If he was homesick, returning to Italy immediately made sense. But then what? How could he sustain a long-term stay in Manchester?
Levi nodded, not pressing the issue. However, Cassel pitched in with several suggestions to assist De Rossi, whether they were practical or fanciful.
The three finished their breakfast, and the taxi called by the hotel arrived.
Via a layover in Spain, they reached Accra, the capital of Ghana, by afternoon.
Upon exiting the terminal, they were greeted by a man holding a sign in English, clearly a representative of the Freelancer Club who had come to welcome Levi and his group.
This young African man with gentle eyes was dressed in a smart suit, though not tall, he had a sturdy presence—a common first impression of Africans.
"Hello, are you Mr. Levi from New Manchester United Club in England?" the young man confirmed as he approached Levi and his group.
Levi smiled and nodded, "Yes!"
"I'm the representative from Freelancer Club. My name is Merlot."
Levi was momentarily taken aback, recalling a player who had received a red card during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, known for his actions as both an angel and a devil on the field—Merlot the Brazilian.
Though their names sounded alike, their letters were different.
After confirming their identities, Levi and his companions followed Merlot confidently from the airport.
Despite the chaos typical of Africa, Accra, as Ghana's capital, boasted a degree of order with many tourists passing through annually.
"Were you waiting long at the airport?" Levi asked casually from the back seat of the car.
"Your club's staff informed us in advance about your flight details and arrival time, so I just arrived," Merlot replied from the driver's seat.
The journey from the airport to the city was bumpy, forcing Levi and his companions to endure the ride.
Initially, they were unfazed, showing interest as they passed through residential areas, gaining insight into the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
"People here live in poverty, yet many aspire to send their children to play football. These children, eager to escape, dream of leaving for Europe, their idea of heaven!" Merlot expressed sympathy for Ghana's residents.
"Are the children here like those in Brazil, starting football from the streets?" Kassel inquired, gesturing at a group of Ghanaian teenagers playing football.
"Absolutely. Ghana lacks the football infrastructure of Europe, and African youths are often stronger physically than Brazilian counterparts. Here, street football is the cheapest form of entertainment," Merlot explained.
"What are the overall club conditions like in Africa?" Levi posed the question.
"Terrible, worse than you imagine. In such a poor market environment, merely surviving as a football club is an immense challenge," Merlot sighed.
Levi gained insight into African football. Like Brazil in its early days, African football was chaotic and underdeveloped, yet promising stars emerged. Unlike Brazil, a football powerhouse, African football was still on the rise.
Levi realized the profound impact of the 2010 World Cup on African football.
Accra wasn't bustling, with few cars on the roads. With Merlot at the wheel, they arrived unhindered at Freelancer Club's office.
The office was merely a few rooms beneath the stadium stands. The stadium itself, located in Ghana's capital, had a capacity of only 10,000 spectators, according to Merlot.
Despite possessing its own stadium and being situated in Accra, Freelancer Club couldn't compare to New Manchester United, even in England's fifth league.
Therefore, when Freelancer Club received a call from New Manchester United's staff, they attached great importance to Levi's visit.
This wasn't just a visit; it was to negotiate a potential partnership between the two clubs in the coming years.
Upon exiting the car, Levi immediately noticed a short, middle-aged African man rushing from the office, speaking broken English in what seemed to be a greeting to Levi, though heavily accented.
"This is our club chairman, Mr. Magbu," Merlot introduced, pointing to the African middle-aged man.
Levi shook hands with him in greeting.
"Welcome, guests from England!" Magbu greeted them more clearly in English this time.
After a bit of initial awkwardness at the gate, Magbu and Merlot escorted Levi and his group into the office, passing by players from the Freelancer Club training on the stadium's field. Levi noticed that the pitch was hardly better than a butcher's knife.
"Is this the home of Ghana's top league team?" Levi wondered, feeling the need to reassess his understanding of Ghanaian and African football. In the years to come, this impoverished region might become a significant exporter of talent, much like South America.
Freelancer Club, despite its location in Ghana's capital, was a mid-tier club with an unremarkable record and no famous stars. As a result, it received little attention.
The primary reason Levi found himself in this modestly refurbished office was to establish a foothold in Africa before African football gained widespread recognition. Additionally, Levi was familiar with several players at Freelancer Club, who showed promise despite their youth.
"Mr. Magbu, our club's staff likely briefed you over the phone regarding the purpose of our visit. Let's not beat around the bush. How does your club feel about becoming a satellite of New Manchester United in Africa?" Levi inquired directly.
Magbu and Merlot exchanged glances before Magbu replied, "We are honored by your club's interest in partnering with us. Freelancer Club sees great potential in collaborating with New Manchester United. We believe this could be mutually beneficial."
Levi nodded thoughtfully. The potential partnership could open doors for both clubs, especially in scouting young African talent and nurturing them into future stars.
Over the course of the meeting, Levi and Magbu discussed the finer details of the proposed partnership, including player development, training exchanges, and marketing strategies. Levi emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards both on and off the pitch.
By the end of the discussion, both parties seemed optimistic about the future collaboration. Levi shook hands with Magbu and Merlot, sealing their agreement in principle.
As Levi and his companions left the Freelancer Club's office, the sun was beginning to set over Accra. They reflected on the day's discussions and the potential for growth in African football.
"Quite an enlightening visit," Levi remarked as they boarded the taxi back to the hotel.
"Indeed. I think we can make a real difference here," Kassel agreed, his optimism evident.
Back at the hotel, Levi reflected on the day's events. The journey had started with doubts and introspection but now held promise for both De Rossi and the future of football in Africa.